Hulk's Villain, The Leader, in Captain America: Brave New World: Why?

While the marketing for the film hasn't yet placed him in the spotlight, fans have been aware since 2022 that Tim Blake Nelson will reprise his role as Samuel Sterns, also known as The Leader, in Captain America: Brave New World. Nelson first brought this character to life in 2008's The Incredible Hulk, and after a long hiatus, The Leader is finally making his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

It's exciting to see Marvel tying up this loose end, but it's somewhat unexpected that The Leader is being introduced as a villain in a Captain America film rather than a new Hulk movie. However, this twist is intentional. The Leader represents a type of adversary that Sam Wilson, the new Captain America, wouldn't anticipate facing, which makes him particularly dangerous. Let's delve into The Leader's background and explore why he could be a fitting villain for the next Captain America installment.

The Leader: Who Is Tim Blake Nelson's Character? ------------------------------------------------

The Leader is traditionally considered Hulk's primary archnemesis. Unlike most of Hulk's foes who challenge him with brute strength, Samuel Sterns is the intellectual counterpart to Bruce Banner. After being exposed to gamma radiation, Sterns' intelligence soared to match the Hulk's physical power, making him one of the most formidable villains in the Marvel Universe.

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In The Incredible Hulk from 2008, The Leader was set up as a future MCU villain. Tim Blake Nelson portrayed a pre-transformation Samuel Sterns, who initially aids Bruce Banner as a cellular biologist in his quest to cure his condition. However, Sterns has a different vision for Banner's blood, seeing it as a means to eradicate disease and unlock human potential. Coerced by General Ross, Sterns also plays a role in Emil Blonsky's transformation into the Abomination.

The film concludes with Sterns in a narrative limbo, his forehead cut exposed to Banner's irradiated blood, hinting at his transformation into The Leader.

The Return of the Leader in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

The Incredible Hulk laid the groundwork for a sequel with the tease of Sterns' transformation into The Leader. However, due to Universal Pictures holding part of the film rights, Marvel Studios has avoided producing another solo Hulk film. Instead, Hulk's narrative has unfolded within the Avengers films and Thor: Ragnarok, which explains the delay in Nelson reprising his role as The Leader.

Bruce Banner, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo, also appeared in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. In Episode 3, he departs Earth on a Sakaarian ship to address unfinished business from his gladiator days, only to return in the season finale with his son, Skaar.

Rumors suggested The Leader might appear in She-Hulk before becoming the main antagonist in Captain America: Brave New World. Episode 3 introduced the Wrecking Crew, who attempted to steal Jen Walters' blood for a mysterious benefactor. Given The Leader's interest in gamma science and Hulk's blood, he seemed a likely candidate to be orchestrating their actions. Although this didn't materialize, trailers for Brave New World suggest The Leader is now manipulating a different set of villains.

Why the Leader Is One of the Villains in Captain America 4

The Leader's appearance in a Captain America sequel might seem odd, as he has no direct grudge against Banner. If anything, his transformation into a super-genius with an oversized head might fuel resentment towards General Ross and Emil Blonsky.

This could be central to The Leader's role in Brave New World. Betrayed by a high-ranking military officer, Sterns might seek revenge against now-President Ross, portrayed by Harrison Ford, aiming to tarnish his reputation and discredit America globally. This could also put him in direct conflict with the new Captain America, Sam Wilson.

Director Julius Onah emphasizes that The Leader's danger lies in his unexpected nature as a villain for Sam Wilson. "Actions have consequences, and that's what's so great about what the MCU has been able to build," Onah told IGN at D23 in 2022. "In this universe, in this world, things that people do come back in ways that are surprising and unexpected, and Tim Blake Nelson coming back as The Leader is such an exciting thing to explore because his story now is going to challenge Sam Wilson, our new Captain America, in a way that he never expected. So it's really, really thrilling. And I think a lot of things that got set up and established years ago will allow the MCU to actually go in new directions that audiences are going to really, really be excited about."

Onah also highlighted that this crisis will serve as the first major test of Sam's leadership skills. He'll need to rally the Avengers—or whatever team currently represents them—against a unique threat.

"We saw what it means for somebody like him to take the shield," Onah said. "But it is also a very different MCU. It's a post-blip MCU. It's a post-Thanos MCU. So the world has changed a lot too. And the role of a hero has changed. What does that mean? The decisions he's going to have to make, and the situations he's going to be confronted with, are radically different from what Steve Rogers had to deal with. And as a result of that, because he's a leader now of this team, he's got to make decisions that are going to have massive implications. So the world has changed around him and he's a changed man, and I think that leads to some really exciting storytelling."

Sam Wilson has tussled with some of the strongest villains in the MCU and lived to tell the tale. But he's never faced someone as intelligent as The Leader. Is he up to the challenge? We'd like to say yes, but it's telling that Captain America 4 sets the stage not for the next Avengers movie, but for the Thunderbolts movie. The Leader may have a hand in destroying the symbol that is Captain America and ushering in a newer, darker era for the MCU.

What role do you think The Leader will play in Captain America: Brave New World? Let us know your theories in the comments below.

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